Watching film on Ellington, I'm getting really excited about the guy. He's a big back with speed, acceleration, balance, elusiveness, and power. His ability to stay upright reminds of David Wilson. He's a threat to break off long gains but also a workhorse back who can grind it between the tackles. I see him as a second round pick.

I don't know about the "big back" and "workhorse back" labels. Isn't he around 5'8 and 180-something? There are very few workhorse backs in the NFL anymore. I like him, but I see him going in round 3 in today's NFL.

I don't know about the "big back" and "workhorse back" labels. Isn't he around 5'8 and 180-something? There are very few workhorse backs in the NFL anymore. I like him, but I see him going in round 3 in today's NFL.

Ehh... we must be talking about different Andre Ellington's. lol. He doesn't even look that big to me.

He's listed by the Clemson athletic department as 5-9 195, which means that he is no bigger than 5-9 195 (since for guys who are not defensive tackles the published numbers are generally inflated from their accurate values.)

ESPN has him at 5-9 190, so he's probably not even that big.

I would say that qualifies him as a "small back".

To me a "big back" is someone who is north of 220 and taller than 5'11".

I really like him. Can cut without slowing and as well as making you miss he can break a tackle. Reliable receiver as well. Pass protection a concern, but at his size it's probably never going to be his strength. I don't if you can draft an undersized back in the first round, but certainly I'd strongly consider him in the second if I needed an impact RB for 10 touches a game to pair with a bigger back.

I really like Ellington. He shows great vision and burst through the hole. His acceleration is elite and when he cuts up-field, he gets going in a hurry. He is also very difficult to tackle in the open field, as he is capable of plowing over d-backs with ease. His biggest problem as a runner is that he doesn't consistently push the pile when he runs between the tackles.

Ellington does need to really work on his pass protection, which is a major weakness, and he isn't a proven option as a receiver. He does have to learn some of the nuances of the position.

As for his size, I don't think it is a big issue. From what I have seen of him in college, he seems perfectly capable of carrying the ball a lot without wearing down. He has had some injury issues, but I don't think that disqualifies him from being a lead option. Despite his size, he does run with surprising power. As a pure runner, I would grade him as the third best in college football, after Marcus Lattimore and Eddie Lacy. And it is close between him and Lacy.

very good athlete, but I have like numerous Clemson backs that haven't turned out as well. Spiller has turned it around now, but I though James Davis and Harper could be great pros as well and neither has done anything. He's a mid round pick.